The Rutles originated as a sketch filmed for Idle and Innes' Rutland Weekend Television in the mid-1970's, albeit with a different cast of characters: Idle, for instance, portrayed the character "Dirk," which was at that time the parody equivalent of George Harrison, not Paul McCartney. The sketch was originally aired on Saturday Night Live; producer Lorne Michaels enjoyed the sketch so much that he produced a TV movie that became known as The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, a mockumentary which is regarded as a precursor to such films as This Is Spinal Tap. The film parodied all aspects of The Beatles' career, such as the Yellow Submarine animated film and the "Paul is Dead" rumors. Ex-Beatle George Harrison, a fan of Monty Python (and later executive producer for Monty Python's Life of Brian) appeared as a reporter interviewing the press manager for The Rutles, played by Idle's Monty Python colleague Michael Palin. Originally aired on television in 1978, the film was ignored upon its initial release, but became a home video sales success.
Neil Innes, under the pseudonym Nasty/McQuickly (a parody of Lennon/McCartney, whom a majority of Beatles compositions are attributed to), wrote all The Rutles' songs, borrowing heavily from Beatles riffs, chord formations, and lyrics. Additionally, songs were also written using the pseudonyms of Stig O'Hara and Barry Wom. Their first studio album, The Rutles, was released as the soundtrack for All You Need Is Cash in 1978. Due to copyright lawsuits from Apple Corps, six of the songs were removed from the first LP release, and The Rutles' song catalog became property of Apple Corps.
In 1996, Innes, Fataar, Halsey and John Haber (the replacement for Halsall, who had passed away) released Archaeology, a spoof of The Beatles' Anthology series, consisting of supposed "cut" material written for The Rutles and previously unreleased songs. In 2002, the sequel to All You Need Is Cash, called The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch, aired on selected TV channels. It featured little to no involvement from Innes, Fataar and Halsey, and consisted mainly of unaired footage from the first film interspersed with interviews with celebrities and their experiences with The Rutles.
Ouch!
The Rutles Lyrics
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Ouch!
You're breaking my heart
Ouch!
I'm falling apart
Ouch!
Ow-ow-ouch!
I must admit I fell for you right from the start
Now when we meet
all kinds of things it seems upset the apple cart
Ouch!
Don't desert me
Ouch!
Please don't hurt me
Ouch!
Ow-ow-ouch!
What is thing called love?
Why do they say it makes the world go 'round?
I can't explain
the way I feel for you, my feet don't touch the ground
Ouch!
Don't desert me
Ouch!
Please don't hurt me
Ouch!
Ow-ow-ouch!
When we first met
I must admit I fell for you right from the start
Now when we meet
all kinds of things it seems upset the apple cart
Ouch!
Don't desert me
Ouch!
Please don't hurt me
Ouch!
Ow-ow-ouch!
(repeat refrain twice)
The Rutles' song "Ouch!" is a parody of The Beatles' song "Help!" and is a humorous take on the woes of a brokenhearted lover. The song starts with the singer expressing the pain he feels from a breakup. The word 'Ouch' is used repeatedly to express the physicality of the emotional pain he is going through. The singer then goes on to confess that he fell for the love interest right from the start but now everything seems to be going wrong. The chorus expresses a plea to his lover to not desert him and hurt him. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus.
The song highlights the pain of rejection and the desperation of the singer to keep his love alive. The use of 'Ouch' instead of 'Help' which was used in the original song, is an indication of how the singer is trying to express his pain in a humorous way. The repetition of the chorus conveys the singer's earnestness in pleading with his lover to stay.
Overall, "Ouch!" is a fun and lighthearted parody of a classic Beatles song. The lyrics and the melody are both playful and catchy, making it a popular song among fans of both The Beatles and The Rutles.
Line by Line Meaning
Ouch!
Expressing pain and discomfort due to heartbreak.
You're breaking my heart
You are causing me immense emotional pain by rejecting or neglecting me.
I'm falling apart
I am losing my emotional stability and sense of self due to the heartbreak.
Ow-ow-ouch!
Further emphasizing the physical and emotional pain of heartbreak.
When we first met
Referring to the beginning of a romantic relationship.
I must admit I fell for you right from the start
Confessing to being quickly and deeply attracted to the other person.
Now when we meet
Referring to the current state of the relationship.
all kinds of things it seems upset the apple cart
Various issues and conflicts are causing the instability and dysfunction of the relationship.
Don't desert me
Pleading with the other person to not abandon or leave the relationship.
Please don't hurt me
Asking the other person to not cause further emotional pain.
What is thing called love?
Questioning and pondering the nature and meaning of love.
Why do they say it makes the world go 'round?
Curious about the common belief that love is essential for life and happiness.
I can't explain
Admitting the inability to describe or rationalize one's feelings of love.
the way I feel for you, my feet don't touch the ground
Describing the intense and euphoric feelings of being in love.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind